A lot has been talked in the press recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. But can the internet variation of this classic game provide a salvation, or will it not compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo has been an ancient game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people deciding to visit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti smoking law all over UK.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular places where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo halls. Players have plunged and the business is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Certainly they haven’t deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. People are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cig and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with little option.